Strainer



Patented Feb. 8, 1927. l

unites stares PATENT OFF CE.

GEORGE P. GREGORY, on PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AsSIcnoR To THE BOSTON AUTO GAGE COMPANY, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION or MASSACHUSETTS.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to strainers of the type adapted for connection to a pipe line to strain the liquid or gaseous fluid delivered by the pipe line.

Strainers of this general type as constructed heretofore commonly consist of an enclosing casing through which the liquid passes, and a strainer element mounted in the casing serves to catch the dirt and foreign particles within the liquid. The strainor element may become clogged from time to time and it is therefore customary to provide the strainer casing with a closure portion which. may be removed when it is desired to take the strainer element out and clean it. 1 v

.These strainers as constructed heretofore are open to the objection that when a portion of the casing is removed to permit access to the strainer element, the liquid within the casing and feed pipe may escape through the opened portion of the casing, and, even if the source of liquid supplyis cut off before the strainer casing is opened up, con-. siderable liquid may remain in the piping to escape through the opening in the casing.

This escapage of liquid, when the. strainer casing is opened up toclean the strainer, may not be particularly ob ectionable in a water pipe line, but is very objectionable in a pipe line conveying fuel oil or other liquids that will soil the floor and other objects with which it may come in contact.

An important feature of the present in- F vention therefore resides in a strainer casing having a valve for cutting off the supply of liquid or gaseous fluid to the casing, and

in means for automatically operating the valve to close the same before the cover plate is'reinoved and for opening the valve as the cover plate is secured in place, the arrangement of the parts being such that the cover cannot be removed until the valve is closed, and cannot be secured in place until the valve is opened.

. Another feature of the invention resides in the construction wherebyTot-ation,of the cover in one direction secures itto the easing, and rotation of the cover in the oppo- STBAINER.

1926. Serial NO. 113,898.

site direction releases it from the casing, and in the connection between the cover and valve whereby rotation of the cover serves to operate the valve.

Another feature of the invention resides.

nection with the accompanying drawings,

which illustrate one good practical form of the invention.

In the drawings:--

Fig. I is a sidev elevation of a strainer constructed in accordance withthe present invention; Y j

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the strainer of Fig. 1, the parts within the strainer casing being shown'in perspective;

Fig. 3 is a top plan-view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the cover being removed; 1 c

. Fig. 5' is a perspective view of the cover for thejstrainer casing; j j

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe rotating valve; and

Fig. 7 to be described.

The'strainer of the present invention may be used in connection with pipe linesto re move dirt and foreignmatter from either a liuid or gaseous fluid. jassin throu h the pipe line, and the construction of the present invention is particularly well adapted for usein connection withfuel supply pipes for, fuel burners. where it will serve to remove is a perspective vi'ew of a spring The strainer is provided with a casing orreceptacle lOwhiohmay be given any :de -K sired construction, and is shown as substantially cylindrical in shape, and is conven-. iently formed of cast metal. The liquid or gaseous fluid to be strained is delivered to the strainer casing by a pipe 11 which is connected by a threaded coupling 12 to the boss 13' of the casing, having the inlet port 14:, and the fluid after being strained, leaves the casing through the port 15 formed in the boss 16 that is connected to a pipe 17 .by the coupling 18. The direction in which the fluid passes through the strainer casing is preferably indicated by an arrow A. which may be cast or otherwise formed upon the exterior of the'casing as shown in Fig. 1.

This arrow is desirable in order to insure that the inlet and outlet ports will be con- I nected to the proper pipes.

It is desirable that the strainer casing 10 he so constructed that the strainer element 19 therein may be readily removed from maybe removed from the casing. The upper face of the cover 20' is'preferably provided with a projection 21 having the opposite sides slabloed oil to receive a wrench, and the directions in which the cover should be rotated to tighten or loosen the sameis provided with a cylindrical shaped portion,

22 which extends into the bore of the casing preferably indicated by arrows marked Tighten, Loosen which are cast or otherwise provided upon the upper face of the cover, as best shown in Fig. 3.

In the construction shown the cover 20 is 10 and this portion is provided with the camslots 23 each of which extends half way aroundthe cylindrical portion. A the opposite sides: of the portion 22 are provided the vertical slots 24. -The slots 24 are formed to clear the projecting lugs 25 that extend inwardly into the bore of the casing from the opposite walls thereof, as clearly shown in the drawings. In order that the lugs 25 may possess ample strength to prevent liability ofthe same being broken they preferably constitute pins which are mounted in drill holes formed in thebosses 26st the opposite sides of ,the strainer casing. The pins or lugs 25 may be sweated or other-. wise rigidly secured in the bosses 26. The arrangement is'such that when it is desired to apply the cover 20 to the casing the same is turned to a position in which. the vertical slots 24: willclear the inwardly projecting studs 25 then the annular portion 22 of the cover may be inserted into the casing to bring the studs 25 into engagement with the cam slots 23; whereupon IOtltlOIl of the cover in the direction indicated by the arrow 7 marked Tighten w1ll serve to secure the cover in place. A compressible. washer 27 of any suitable material is preferably confined bet-ween the upper end of the casing 10 and the under face of the cover, to form a,

when thecover is rotated in the opposite direction these cam slots serve to force the cover away from the upper end of the casing to facilitate its removal. It should also be noted that the shoulder 28 provided at the end of each cam slot 23 serves as a stop to arrest the rotation of the cover in a posi-. tion in which the slots 24ewill clear the studs 25 as the cover is lifted out of engagement with the casing.

As above stated, one of the important features of the invention resides in the construction whereby the cover cannot be removed from the casing until a valve has been operated to out off the supply of .fuel to the strainer casing. this end, in accordancewith the present invention, consists of a ring valve 29 which is rotatably mounted within the casing 10, and this valve is preferably given the tapered construction shown, to conform to the corresponding taper formed within the bore of the casing. This tapered construction is desirable because it produces a tight joint and readily compensates for wear between the parts. The valve 29 is provided with an elongated opening 30 formed in a side wall thereof, as best shown in Fig. 6, and the arrangement is such that when it is desired to i admit fluid to the strainer casing the ring valve 29 is rotated to a position in which the opening 30 lies opposite the inlet port 14. l Vhen it is desired to cut off the supply of fluid to the strainer casing, the valve. 29 is rotated to turn the opening'30 out of alignment with the port 14.

' It is desirable to maintain a constant downward pressure upon, the valve "29 to prevent leakage between the same and its tapered bearing seat formed within the easing 10. This'is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by forming an annular groove 31 within the bore of the casing, which groove constitutes a seat for The means provided to ion the portion 32 of a bowed spring-best shown 9 in The opposite ends 33 of this spring are adapted to rest upon the upper face of the valve 29 and are retained in place by the upstanding lugs 3 formed upon the valve. The strainer casing is preferably provided with a pair of springs such ,one being disposed at each.

as shownin 7 side of the valve casing, and these springs are so constructed that they exert a contlnuous'downward pressure upon the valve 29 to maintain a tight joint between the same and the inner wall of the casing, and also to take up any wear between the parts. lVhen'the' valve 29 is rotated the bent portion 32 of each spring will simply slide in the groove 31 Without springing out of this grooveQ V It is important that the rotative movement imparted to the cover to secure the cover in place or release it, be imparted to the valve 29, and this is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by constructing the lugs 34*upon the valveso that they will project into the slots 24 formed in the opposite faces of the annular portion 22 of thecover. The arrangement is such that when the cover is firmly secured in place the valve 29 will be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 2' wherein it willbe seen that the opening30 of'the valve liesopposite the inlet port 14, and when the cover is rotated to its released position the valve 29 will'be turned to the position shown in Fig. 4,

wherein it will be seen that the lugs 34 he directly below the studs 25; When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4 the opening 3004. the valve is turned away from the inlet port 14. 'The tension of thesprings '32serves not only to maintain a tight joint between thevalve and its bearing seat, but

serves also to prevent the valve from being accidentally turned from the position in which it isshown in Fig. 4 while the cover is removed.

The 'strainer element 19 is preferably given the cylindrical shape shown, and consists of a supporting frame or cage having the cup 35 at its lower end, and the ring 36 at its upper end, which isv supported in spaced relation to the cup 35 by the bars 37. The cage thus formed is'covered with wire having any desired mesh. It should be noted that the ring valve 29 is so constructed that the strainer element 19 may be moved to and from its operative position by passing the same through the central opening in the ring valve. This construction is desirable because'it permits the strainer element to be inserted in the strainer casing and removed therefrom without disturbing the valve 29. When the strainer element is in its operative position as shown in Fig. 2,, the ring 36 at the upper end; of the strainer element lits closely within the annular space, formed by the inwardly extending flange 38,'so that dirt and foreign particles are prevented'from entering the chamber 39 by passing between the outer wall of the ring 36 and the annular flange 38. I

It is desirable that the part-s be so constructed that the strainer element 19 may be readily removed from the casing lOwhen the cover 20is removed,- and to this end, in

accordance with the present invention, the strainer element is continuously urged up wardly by a coiled spring 40 one end of which rests against the bottom'of the cup 35 sition by the pin 41 which is rigidly secured tot-he cover and projects downwardly with-- in the strainer casing to engage the cup 35- at the lower end thereof, as will be'appa'rent' from Fig. 2. As a result of the construction ust described, as long as thecover 1s in place the strainer element is held inits operative position as shown in Fig. 2,= and when the pin 41 is moved outof engagement w th the strainer element by the removal of the cover from the casing, the strainer ele-' ment is automatically forced upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4' in which it may be readily engaged and lifted out of the casing to be cleaned;

l/Vhen the strainer forming the subject matter of the present invent-ion is used to remove dirt and foreign particles from oil, water which maybe contained in the oil will tendto accumulate in the lower portion of the strainer casing, andfit is desirable to provide means for drau' ing'this water oil from time to time. This may be doneby forming a drain port'42 near the lower end of the. chamber .39, but if this portis closed with the ordinary-threadedplug, there is a possibility that the person whoremoves the a leased it-will automaticallyclose to prevent the further flow of fluid through the drain port. The projecting end of the valve 43 may be protected'by ahollow plug 45 having threads so that it"may be screwed into engagement with the casing as shown. This plug should be so constructedthatit may be readily removed from the casing when the'drain valve43 is to beopened From'the" foregoing description and ac; com 'ianying drawings it will be seen that rotation of the coverfto remove the same automatically closes thefvalve to thereby shut of? the supplyfof fueljto the strainercasing,

and as a result dangerof the fluid flowing into the strainer "casin g'and overflowing at the upper end thereof while the cover is removed is prevented.

What is claimed is:

1. A strainer comprising in combination, a casing, a removable cover for one end of the casing and adapted to be rotated relatively tothe casing in applyingand removing the same, a strainer element'mounted in the casing, a rotating valve for controlling the supply of fluid to the casing, a spring for yieldingly holdingthe valve. in engagement with its bearing seat and operable to maintain 'a fluid tight joint between the valve and. its seat by continuously urging the valve against its seat, and a driving connection between the cover and valve and adapted to impart the rotative movement of the CGWBrtO the valve.

' 2A strainer comprising in combination, a casi-ng,-a removable cover for one end of the casing and adapted to be rotated relatively to the casing in applying and remov ing the same,a strainer element mounted in the casing, a rotating valve for controlling the supply of fluid to the casing and having a-tapered bearing surface that engages a correspondingly shaped bearing seat, means for continuously urging the valve against its tapered seat to automat cally take up wear, and a connection between the cover and valve for imparting the rotative move- ,seat, a strainer element within the casing,

and a connection between the cover and valve foriinparting the rotative movement of the cover to the valve.

. t. A strainer comprising in combination,

a casing, a removable cover for one end of the casing and provided with a projecting portion that extends into the casing, cooperating camming elements upon said projection and upon the inner wall of the casing for securing the cover to the casing and adapted to release the cover upon rotation .of the same through less than a complete revolution from its tight position, a strainer element 111 the casing, a rotating valve for controlling the supply offiuid to the casing,

and means for imparting the rotative movement of the cover to the valve to turn the latter to and from its closed position.

'5. A strainer. comprising in combination, a casing, a removable cover for one end of the casing and adapted to be rotated in one 'direction'through less than'a complete rotapo'site direction through less than a: complete rotation to release it from, the casing, a strainer element removably mounted within the casing, a rotating valve for controlling the supply of fluid tothe casing and positioned between the strainer element and cover, means for imparting the rotative movement of the cover to the valve to actuate the latter, and a spring which is held under tension as long as the strainer element is in place in the casing and which is adapted to eject the strainer element past said valve upon removal of the cover. e

6. A strainer comprising incombination, acasing, ,a removable cover for one endof the casing and adapted to be rotated in one direction to secure it to the casing and in the opposite direction to. release it from the easing, a cup-shaped strainer element mounted within the casing, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to the casing and adapted to be moved to and from its closed position by the rotative movement of the cover, and a post extending from the inner face of the cover into engagement with the lower end of the strainer to hold the latter in place within the casing. V

- 7 A strainer comprising in combination, a casing, a strainer element removably mounted'in the casing, a rotating valve for controlling the supply of'fiuid to the casing, a

cover for the casing constructed to be rotated in one direction to secure it to the casing and inthe opposite direction to release it from the casing, means for imparting the rotative movement of the cover to the valve to rotate the latter 'to and from its closed position, and a compressed spring for ejecting the strainer from the casing as the cover is removed and constructed and arranged to impart an initial movement to the strainer asthe valve is rotated to its closed position.

8. A strainer comprising in combination,

a casing, a removable cover for one end of the casing, camming means cooperating with the cover and casing and adapted uponrotation in one direction to force the cover into tight engagement with the casing and upon rotation in the opposite direction to force the cover away from the casing and adapted to effect both operations upon rotation through an angle" of less thana complete revolution, a strainer element in the casing, a valve-for controlling the supply of fluid to the casing, means for imparting the rota} tive movement o1 the cover to the valve to actuate the latter, and said camming means being arranged so that it is completely housed by the casing when the removable cover is in place. j

9. strainer comprising incombination, a casing having an opening at one end and lugs projecting inwardly trom the inner walls of the casing, a removable cover for said casing rotatable relatively to the easing and having cam slots and vertical slots leading from an end of the cover to the cam slots and constructed to clear the lugs as the are engaged with the cam slots, a valve wit in the casing for controlling the supply of fluid t0 the casing and having a projection that extends into one of said vertical slots to effect rotation of the valve upon rotation of the cover, and a strainer element 10 within said casing.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. v

GEORGE Pl GREGORY. 

